Kendrapada: In a significant step towards marine wildlife conservation, the state government is set to impose a seven-month fishing ban in and around the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary from November 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027 to protect the endangered Olive Ridley turtles.
The move aims to provide a safe and undisturbed environment for endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles during their annual mass-nesting season. The Marine Fisheries Department will enforce a seven-month prohibition on fishing activities in the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary and its adjoining coastal waters, extending up to 20 km into the Bay of Bengal off the Kendrapada coast.
The restriction is being imposed under the provisions of the Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Odisha Marine Fishing Rules, 1983, said Varadaraj Ga onkar, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Rajnagar Mangrove Forest and Wildlife Division.
To ensure effective implementation of the ban, the Forest Department will launch awareness campaigns among local fishing communities and seek their active cooperation in protecting and conserving the endangered marine species.
“We are going to launch awareness campaigns among fishing communities to secure their cooperation in protecting and conserving Olive Ridley turtles,” Gaonkar said. Recognised as the world’s largest rookery of Olive Ridley sea turtles, Gahirmatha provides a vital breeding and nesting habitat for the endangered species.
Thousands of these marine turtles traditionally congregate along the Odisha coast during their annual breeding season to undertake the spectacular mass-nesting phenomenon known as ‘Arribada’. To ensure a peaceful and undisturbed nesting environment, personnel of the Bhitarkanika Forest Division will work in close coordination with the Indian Coast Guard, Marine Police and Fisheries Department.
Surveillance and patrolling will be intensified to prevent illegal fishing activities within the protected waters during the ban period.
Meanwhile, conservationists have expressed concern over the nesting behaviour of Olive Ridley turtles, as the endangered species skipped their spectacular mass-nesting event at Ga hirmatha last year, according to official sources of the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary.
The seven-month fishing ban is expected to play a crucial role in safeguarding the turtles and their breeding grounds, while strengthening Odisha’s ongoing efforts to conserve its rich marine biodiversity.
